Disability Statistics

Question 1

What percent of people in older populations have a disability?

Answer 1

30% to 60%

Question 2

According to the UN, in countries with life expectancies over 70 years, individuals spend on average how much of their lifespan with a disability?

Answer 2

About 8 years / 11.5% of their lifespan.

Question 3

According to the WHO, what percentage of people over 70 years old worldwide have a disability?

Answer 3

20%

Question 4

According to the WHO, what percentage of people over 85 years old worldwide have a disability?

Answer 4

50%

Question 5

What percentage of people in New Zealand over 65 years old have a disability?

Answer 5

59%

Question 6

What percentage of people in the UK are born with disabilities?

Answer 6

17%

Question 7

According to the US Census, what percentage of Americans over 65 report having no disabilities?

Answer 7

61.3%

Question 8

According to the US Census, what percentage of Americans over 85 report having no disabilities?

Answer 8

27.5%

Question 9

According to the US Census, what is the most common type of disability in Americans over 65 years old?

Answer 9

Ambulatory (66.5%)

Question 10

According to the US Census, what is the only type of disability in Americans over 65 years old that is reported by more males than females?

Answer 10

Hearing (52% of males, vs 32.3% of females)

Question 11

True or false: People with disabilities find the use of the term “handicapped” to be offensive.

Answer 11

Some do, some do not. Try to learn and respect the preferences of individuals.

Question 12

Health inequities can arise from unfair conditions faced by people with disabilities, what are some of them?

Answer 12

1. stigma
2. discrimination
3. poverty
4. exclusion from education and employment
5. barriers faced in the health system itself

Question 13

Why are disabilities linked to unemployment?

Answer 13

• People with disabilities are disproportionally represented among those who are unemployed or underemployed
• Most people are willing and able to perform the job when given a chance, but some are too limited due to their health concerns
• Workplace discrimination and inaccessible work environments reduce the opportunity for people with disabilities

Question 14

What percentage of the disabled population for USA is employed?

Answer 14

Abut 33.5% in 2012

Question 15

Why are disability statistics so variable?

Answer 15

• Differences in How “Disability” is Defined
• Differences in Data Collection Methods
• Political or Public Relations Biases

Question 16

Poverty & Disabilities

In the US what percent of people with disabilities live below the poverty line?

Answer 16

About 30%

Question 17

Poverty & Disabilities

Fill in the blank

An electric wheelchair for example can cost anywhere from:

Answer 17

under US $2000 to US $30,000 +

Question 18

Poverty & Disabilities

In the United Kingdom what percent of people with disabilities live below the poverty line?

Answer 18

30%

Question 19

Poverty & Disabilities

True or False
65% of people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean live below the povery line

Answer 19

False

Correct answer is 82%

Question 20

Poverty & Disabilities

True or False
The cost of simply living and doing daily tasks can be significantly higher for a person with a disability when compared to the costs for someone without a disability.

Answer 20

True